On Saturday, the hardest stage of the 2024 Volta a Catalunya, Tadei Pogachar once again dominated the race to claim his third summit finish on the Alto de Queralto.

Visma Ries-a-Bike attempted to blow away Volta on the tough climb up the Pradel, but collapsed spectacularly as no one could reach the 10-man lead group, including Pogachar.

On the Alto de San Isidre climb with 27.5km remaining, Pogachar's predictions were spot on as the UAE Team Emirates rider crossed the finish line with a 57-second advantage.

As Pogachar blasted to victory, Mikel Landa (Sourdal-Quickstep) maintained his "lead of the dead" position in the back while Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) joined the chase.

A little further back, Enric Mas (Movistar) was determined to leave his first footprints of the 2024 season in a solo chase, but once again it was only the man at the front of the race that essentially mattered.

"With two teams frustrated with their control of the stage, Visma Ries-a-Bike set a strong pace on the longest climb of the day, and myself, Marc [Soler] and Joan [Almeida] took the lead with seven other riders.

After a furious chase by Israel Premier Tech and Vimalies a Bike, the lead group briefly regrouped, but to no avail. The Slovenian, who won Valter 2000 and Port Aine in Volta this week, could not afford to miss his third summit finish; as he said two days ago, "You win when you can."

"That group came from behind and Movistar made a big attack.

"But when Movistar attacked, I went to the top and tried to solo to the finish."

Pogachar, who was riding in the Berga region, one of the centers of Catalan cycling, said he had time to appreciate the very high level of support from the fans along the roadside, as the Volta a Catalunya had not been held for an incredibly long time, over half a century!

"It was really beautiful again. It wasn't like training, but it was a good race."

"It was a really good race today and unlike any other day I've had, there were a lot of fans on the road. The amount of fans on the uphill was crazy."

Pogachar praised the Volta in general, but was cautious when asked by a Catalan journalist if he would participate in the same race next season.

"I don't know, it's still a long way off. The race is very relaxed, the hotel is nice, the weather is good. The peloton is more or less all climbers, so there is no stress because there are no sprint stages."

Barring a major mishap on Sunday on the technical, hilly course around Parc Montjuïc, Pogachar's path to the overall win is almost guaranteed, as rain is forecast again tomorrow, which is not ideal for the city center circuit.

Perhaps the only big question to be resolved is whether Pogachar, who tied the Slovenian record of three Volta a Catalunya stage wins in one week with Luka Mezgek in 2014, will be looking for a fourth win en route to the overall win.

"Tomorrow will be a really hectic stage for climbers. 'But we'll enjoy today. We'll relax until we get back to the hotel and catch the bus. Our main goal now is to get the GC."